An '''epitaphios''' (also called the '''''Epitaphios Thrinos''''', '''''epitaphion''''', or epitaphioi) is a large cloth [[icon]] used during the services of [[Great Friday]] in a commemoration of the death of Christ on the cross.

+

An '''epitaphios''' (also called the '''''Epitaphios Thrinos''''', '''''epitaphion''''', or epitaphioi) is a large cloth [[Iconography|icon]] used during the services of [[Great Friday]] in a commemoration of the death of Christ on the cross.

Revision as of 08:58, February 13, 2006

An epitaphios (also called the Epitaphios Thrinos, epitaphion, or epitaphioi) is a large cloth icon used during the services of Great Friday in a commemoration of the death of Christ on the cross.

Also, usually inscribed on the icon are the words of the troparion, "The Noble Joseph, taking down Thy most pure Body from the Tree, did wrap it in clean linen with sweet spices, and he laid it in a new tomb."

Enkomia (praise-songs) and threnoi (laments) are usually sung before the epitaphios. These epitaphios thrinos or lamentations are why the service is often referred to as the “Lamentations service.